Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-18E/F>HA5101

General Background

The McDonnell Douglas Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet is a twin-engine multi-role carrier-based aircraft. The “E” variant is single-seater while the “F” variant is a tandem-seat configuration. The “E” is a much larger, more advanced and more capable variant of the F/A-18C. The Super variant can carry a larger array of weapons as well as more of them and is capable of returning to the carrier while still carrying unspent munitions, a big savings in dollars. The first F/A-18E flight was in 1995 and began delivery to the USN in 1999.

The Aircraft

VFA-14 “Topphatters” call themselves the oldest and boldest and with good reason, they formed in 1919 making them the oldest active USN squadron. The squadron began aircraft-carrier service aboard the USS Langley. The original squadron name was adopted in 1927, the “High-Hatters” which was relevant for the day and supposed to mean the very best, elite. In 1942 the name was changed to “Tophatters”. In 2001 the squadron became VFA-14 instead of VF-14 and are based at NAS Lemoore, California. This scheme represents the 90th Anniversary of the squadron.

Specifications :

Role:	Multi-role attack and fighter
Crew:	F/A-18E x 1 / F/A-18F x 2
Dimensions
Length:	60.3 ft (18.5 m)
Height:	16 ft (4.87 m)
Wingspan:	44.9 ft (13.68 m)
Weight:	Maximum Gross Take-off 66,000 lbs (29,932 kg)
Performance
Power Plant:	2 x F414-GE-400 turbofans
Thrust (Static):	22,000 lbs (9,977kg) per engine
Ceiling :	50,000 ft +
Speed:	Mach 1.8 +
Armament:	1 x M61A1/A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon (internal)
Possible External Payload:	AIM 7 Sparrow
	AIM-120 AMRAAM
	Harpoon
	HARM
	Shrike
	SLAM
	SLAM-ER
	Walleye
	Maverick
	JSOW (Joint-Stand-Off Weapon)
	JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munitions
	An assortment of bombs, mines and rocket